In a world eager to digitize, many organizations have leaned hard into virtual training—but what’s getting lost along the way? In this episode of The Learnit Lounge, host Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Barbara Trumbly, Senior Vice President of Operations and Events at the Surplus Line Association of California, to unpack what it really takes to create impactful, people-centered blended learning. From peer-to-peer programs to structured onboarding and reverse mentoring, Barbara shares honest insights into what’s working, what’s not, and how HR and L&D leaders can meet employees where they are—without sacrificing effectiveness or engagement. 

This Episode Covers: 

• Why treating all employees the same in training is a costly mistake 
• How to balance virtual, in-person, and on-the-job training—without overcomplicating it 
• What it means to “train to strengths” and why it boosts morale 
• Why some employees don’t want to grow—and why that’s OK 
• The key question Barbara asks her staff to drive career ownership 
• What HR leaders must define before they can measure training impact 

Timestamped Highlights 

00:00 – Intro: Meet Barbara Trumbly, SVP of Operations & Events at Surplus Line Association 

01:35 – What blended learning really means—and the biggest misconception about it 

02:56 – Why face-to-face interaction still matters in a digital-first world 

03:43 – A controversial opinion: why tech can’t replace relationship-driven learning 

05:07 – The mistake companies make: assuming everyone learns the same way 

06:30 – Tactile learning, note-taking, and the power of doing vs. listening 

07:37 – What ideal blended learning looks like in practice—Barbara’s real-world example 

09:30 – The power of breaking bread: why lunch matters in learning 

10:26 – How to structure on-the-job training without micromanaging 

11:30 – Peer-to-peer learning: how teaching others reinforces learning 

12:57 – Reverse mentoring: why newer employees can make great trainers 

13:57 – The tough question: how do you measure training impact? 

14:35 – Start with a clear definition of employee success—then build training around it 

16:27 – Biggest leadership lesson: manage to strengths, not weaknesses 

18:15 – Why feedback should focus on what people do right 

19:15 – Uncomfortable truth: not everyone wants to grow their career (and that’s okay) 

22:10 – Final takeaway: personalize development and let employees chart their path 

23:34 – Barbara’s favorite question to ask her team: “What do you want to achieve, and how do you plan to get there?” 

24:15 – How to connect with Barbara + outro and listener call to action 

About Barbara 

Barbara Trumbly is the Senior Vice President of Operations and Events at the Surplus Line Association of California where she oversees operations, HR, administration, and learning and development. Barbara leads the charge in building training programs that actually fit her people—balancing structured onboarding, budget management, and the human element of learning. She believes in strengths-based leadership, the power of peer-to-peer learning, and building relationships across departments to support a thriving learning culture. 

Resources Referenced 

Barbara Trumbly on LinkedIn 

Surplus Line Association of California 

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